Harvey is a forested Lake Superior escape in the UP
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is becoming a four-seasons hub for all things outdoors, with snow-covered winters and a summertime waterfront. Located outside Marquette , Harvey is one of the Upper Peninsula's most promising areas with access to skiing and mountain biking trails, in a densely forested suburb inland of the Lake Superior coast, in a peaceful atmosphere. "People like the 'U.P.' because it's not a big city," says Daniel Menard, an associate broker and Realtor at Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors. "Many people think you're going into no man's land, but it's a different world with a slower lifestyle above the Mackinaw Bridge. People are enamored with it once they see it."
Year-round recreation from ski slopes to sculpture trails
This community has access to the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, a paved, 47-mile path by the lake, traversing the Marquette Iron Range. Public fairways are at Gentz's Homestead and Northern Michigan University Golf Courses. About 10 miles east, Lakenenland is a free-to-visit sculpture garden with welded metal structures along wooded trails. The Marquette Mountain Resort provides skiing and snowboarding trails with a summit of 1,275 feet. It also connects to the Noquemanon Trail Network's South Trails, with scenic overlook views and over 40 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that trace Mount Marquette. "The mountain biking and road biking are phenomenal," Menard says. "It is one of the best mountain biking areas in the Midwest."
Locals embrace the snowy winter with cold-weather activities
Residents may need vehicles with four-wheel drive, as this is one of the snowiest areas in the United States, receiving about 150 inches of snow each year. Harvey's heavy snowfall is partly due to Lake Superior's freezing pattern in the winter. Temperatures also hit daily lows in the single digits in both January and February. "There's a ton of stuff to do during the winter because we're very good at plowing and salting our roads," Cosco says. "It's a longer winter, so you can bundle up and find things to do outside. People can cross-country ski, ice fish and winter bike."
Spacious evergreen lawns with single-level homes
Harvey has towering white pines and red maple trees along many streets, providing shade for its spacious inland properties. This area features a collection of New Traditional and ranch-style homes, many of which are on spacious lawns. The area has an average lot size of just under half an acre. Prices range from $150,000 to $980,000. Houses larger than 2,000 square feet have private land closer to the lake, typically costing between $600,000 and $980,000. "Harvey has older homes built in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. They tend to be starter homes, which are great for downsizing," says Jennifer Cosco, a lifelong resident of the UP and Realtor at Select Realty.
Field trips and planetarium shows enrich student experiences
Cherry Creek Elementary School earns a B-plus grade from Niche, offering a nature trail, a STEM lab and an after-school program. Bothwell Middle School has a B-plus as well, and its National Junior Honor Society encourages community service opportunities and leadership skills. Marquette Senior High School scores an A-minus and is home to the Shiras Planetarium, with astronomical shows and space projections to educate students and the Marquette community.
Brewpub patios and markets close to outdoor fun
Popular local restaurants are along the highway. Marquette has more shopping options just a short drive away. The Lake Superior Smokehouse Brewpub serves barbecue pork and brisket in a pet-friendly backyard patio with picnic tables. The Dry Dock Bar & Grill has an inviting social atmosphere and serves a signature breakfast pizza. Harvey's grocery store is Lofaro's Fresh Market on Carmen Drive, and the Marquette Food Co-op is another supermarket about 5 miles northwest.
Taking US-41 to Marquette and the airport
While somewhat removed from the city bustle, Harvey is only about 5 miles from facilities like Northern Michigan University and Marquette Medical Urgent Care. U.S. Highway 41 and state Route 28 provide access to other communities on the northern coast. The center of Marquette is approximately 4 miles north on US-41. The Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport is roughly 15 miles south, with daily direct flights to Detroit, Minneapolis and Chicago.
